Alabama may ban smoking in vehicles with minors: report

Alabama would join Louisiana and seven other states that restrict smoking in vehicles with minors if a bill approved by the Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday night (Jan. 30) becomes law, AL.com reported.

The bill's sponsor, state Rep. Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham, said her intent was not to tell adults they can't smoke but to protect children who don't have a choice about being in a confined space with a smoker, the website reported. The bill passed the House by a vote of 41-30.

The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that eight states and Puerto Rico have restrictions similar to the one proposed by Hollis, although states vary on the ages at which the bans apply. In Louisiana, it applies to minors 13 and under.